This is a collaborative post
As an adult, we all know too well that a late night or too much junk food can reduce productivity at work and make it difficult to concentrate. The same applies to children and their education. Their lifestyle choices play a huge part in how well they do academically, which is something to bear in mind if you want to help your child succeed. I have teamed up with an independent school in Kingston Upon Thames to share some advice.
Sleep
During sleep, children are able to retain the information they learn throughout the day, whilst also recharging and restoring. Generally speaking, 5–12-year-olds need 9-12 hours of sleep per night, although this varies from child to child. With that said, try and encourage your child to get an early night. If they’ve got exams coming up, cramming until all hours of the morning will actually have an adverse effect, so make sure your child sticks to a regular bedtime routine.
Diet
Of course, a balanced diet is important for maintaining one’s health and can help fight off different illnesses. However, a healthy diet is also important for concentration, and junk food can make you feel sluggish. It would be wise to send your youngster to school with a healthy break-time snack as opposed to a chocolate bar or packet of crisps so that they don’t crash during lessons.
Down Time
Life is tough and it’s the same for children. Be sure to encourage them to have some downtime so that they can wind down and pursue their interests. This could be anything from socialisation or an extra-curricular activity. When they do something they love or spend time with friends, they will release endorphins that will help with their mental health and ensure they have a positive attitude.
These are just a few factors to consider when thinking about your child’s lifestyle – you should also ensure they get plenty of fresh air and exercise and limit their screen time, as these will all have an impact on how they perform in school.
